Like a Woman Scorned Read Online Free PDF Page A

giving him a chance to miss her, and then they could talk about how to move forward.
    On December 20 th they went out for a night of Beach Blanket Babylon, held at Club Fugazi in North Beach. It was a show designed in the late sixties and eventually became one of the most popular stage programs to ever appear in San Francisco. Sets were designed as San Francisco landscapes and the performers took part in unique, trendy skits and musical pieces while wearing outrageous costumes. They impersonated newsworthy celebrities and made fun of everything in pop culture including bestselling books. The show was nothing short of mind boggling. Some of the performers had been with the show since its inception.  
    Rick had never seen anything like it and Alison wanted him to have at least one fun social function to recall. They went with his friend, Steve, and Steve’s wife, Marcia. Marcia, ironically, was from Boston. Alison found herself a little left out, and just a tiny bit jealous, when the two of them spent a bit too much time talking about it. But the evening ended well, as did they all.
    Suddenly it was December 23 rd and Rick was checking out of the hotel. The trial was over, his victory sweet on many levels—financially, emotionally, and certainly for his career. The San Francisco papers were reporting the trial and weren’t shy about touting the plaintiff’s legal team. One Boston paper even did a small write-up on it.
    He spent the last night at Alison’s place with his luggage ominously posed in the front room. She wanted to make a knockout final dinner and enjoy a peaceful evening, knowing he had to leave early the next morning. Alison was, of course, dreading his departure, but was somewhat emotionally prepared having known it was inevitable from the beginning. She bought him a gift and hoped he would not feel as though she expected anything of him, although deep down she knew she did.
    But he surprised her with beautiful diamond earrings, a small artistic shaped “a” that was very unusual. She could see he had put a lot of effort into that gift. Good thing she bought him something, too. It was a pen set in cobalt blue with his initials engraved in gold, lovelier than anything she’d ever seen. He was deeply touched and surprised.
    They enjoyed the spectacular Italian dinner Alison prepared, and then made love by the fireplace. And again in bed in the middle of the night. And again very early in the morning. Then it was time for him to go.
    “I love you,” Rick said. “I will miss you terribly. As soon as the holiday week is over, we’ll discuss doing something about these 3,000 miles between us, okay?”
    Alison smiled warmly as she leaned against the door jam, staring into his eyes.
    “Yes, okay. Enjoy your time with your family. They are important. I love you too, and will miss you terribly, too.” She reached out for one last hug and breathed deep, fully taking in his scent again, wishing she could bottle it.
    He waved goodbye from the taxi and then he was gone.
    Alison fought back the self-pity, thought about how she could enjoy the holidays—alone, as usual—and looked forward to what she and Rick would plan after the New Year. She even allowed herself to entertain the idea of moving to Boston, a city she could probably learn to love almost as much as San Francisco.
    The first thing Alison needed to do after getting her house in order again, both literally and figuratively, was to reconnect with friends, all of whom she’d neglected badly for almost a month—especially Brenda. Alison had refused all holiday invitations, saying she had out of town guests.
    Shortly after Alison arrived in her office the next morning, as Christmas Eve fell on a workday this year, a package was delivered from Saks Fifth Avenue. Alison knew it was from Rick and decided to open it at home rather than in the office. This was time to be with her staff, as everyone would be dispersing for more than a week to spend holiday